The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-13

orations-Simplicity of Dress-Crema-
ton Very Communicable Gus
toms-Incomprehensi-
BILE Music.
"The Japanese are remarkable for
the beauty of their feet" said Prof. Ed
ward S. Morse in his lecture on Japan
csc life and customs. ut is quite a
common sight to see them bare-footed
about their homes, and the practice is a
characteristic of all classes, high and
low. remember once visiting a noble
man at his house, and he received me
bare-footed His dress and personal
habiliments were exceedingly gorge
ous.h
The professor held up for inspection
two pair of shoes worn by the inhab-
itants of the Mikado islands. They
were about the length of an ordinary
sized foot and some three inches wide.
The wood was light and grainless.
Prof. Morse explained that the
stocking worn by these people
is scanned SO that an apartment
is left for the big toe, like the thumb of
mitten. The straps that hold the
sandals to the feet are passed over the
instep and between the large toe and
the others. Little children are seen
with these awkward sandals upon their
feet" continued the speaker, strap
ped to the back Of some young girl.
Sometimes the little one goes to sleep
and to illustrate the activity of the toe,
the sandal remains suspended to the
foot. The girl carries the infant about
as she plays at battle-door and shuttle
cock. Occasionally the infant cries,
but it is rare occurrence; indeed one
might remain six months in Japan
without seeing baby ill-natured.
Among the lower classes u crying child
is supposed to be possessed of an evil
spirit. An irritant plaster is put upon
the child's back to draw out the evil
being. The large children always car
ry something about. If there is no
baby in the family, then cat is
brought into requisition. And let me
say right here that the japanese do not
eat cats or rats, as is generally sup
posed. They do, however eat mon
keys.
Gan extraordinary feature of Japan
is its houses. All the homes are low,
one-story structures, implanted and
rather unpreposessing. The attractive
part of Japanese house is in the rear.
The front part of the house is not orna-
mented, but all fancy decorations are to
be found facing the garden. The rear
OF all the houses being so adorned,
many lovely courts are thus in vogue.
A Japanese garden is beautiful all the
year round. must speak a good word
for the simplicity and taste manifested
in the interior of a japanese home. We
decorate our mansions with costly en-
frances and countless bric-a-brac. We
even stick Rogers group in the front
window so that pedestrians may know
we possess piece of statuary. And
right here wish to remark that the
place for statuette is at the back of
the room, with the light striking it
from the side. In Japan simplicity and
elegance characterizes interiors. There
Will be one painting of splendid work
manship. When the household wearies
of the work another picture is SUBJ
stituted
Ihad expected to find the women in
Japan dressed in bright and gay
gowns. The fairs in this country and
other depictions of Japanese women led
me to expect this. Twas disappointed,
1or though some of the colors in dress
1aorlcs are positive, the rule is some
simple shade or tint. l observed, too,
that the children at school were mod
estly and simply attired, and especially
was it so OF the sons and daughters of
the nobility. Upon investigation I
learned that from time immemorial it
had been the practice of wealthy peo-
pie to dress their children in an unos-
tentatlous manner so that no contrast
could be instituted between them and
the young of the poorer classes. This
Is a sentiment in a good many other
features of social Japan.
Their temples with their bright
colored woodwork, rich and intricate
carving and elaborate metal trimmings
form a wonderful contrast with the
homes of the people. Within is
strange medley of curious things: Old
armor, Buddhist idols and other quaint
and remarkable things. l remember
that in one temple was hung
a photographic picture of the
steamer City of China 1t seems that
this steamer years ago had rescued
three mariners, and returned them to
the island. In honor to the kindness,
for Japan was not then on terms of
peace with the civilized world, a litho-
graph OF the steamer was procured by
order of the priests, and it was framed
and hung upon the walls as a monu-
ment of good action. These temples
are set usually in primeval forests, and
the religion of Buddhism resembles the
catholic faith in a good many resnects.